Patent EA-000504-B1 (EA)
Title: Hydrocarbon gas conversion system and process for producing a synthetic hydrocarbon liquid
Inventor: WAYCUILIS JOHN J
IPC: C07C1/04
Filed: 1996-11-22
Abstract: 1. A process for converting a lighter hydrocarbon gas to heavier hydrocarbons comprising: a) reacting an air feed and a lighter hydrocarbon feed gas to produce a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; b) reacting said synthesis gas in the presence of a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst to produce heavier hydrocarbons, a tail gas and water; c) combusting said tail gas to produce a combustion gas; d) generating mechanical power with said combustion gas; and e) compressing said air feed with said mechanical power. 2. The process of Claim 1 further comprising heating said water with said synthesis gas to produce process steam. 3. The process of Claim 2 wherein said tail gas is combusted with a portion of said process steam. 4. The process of Claim 2 wherein said air feed and said lighter hydrocarbon feed gas are reacted with a portion of said process steam to produce said synthesis gas. 5. The process of Claim 1 wherein said tail gas is combusted with a portion of said air feed. 6. The process of Claim 1 further comprising heating said tail gas with said synthesis gas. 7. The process of Claim 1 further comprising heating said lighter hydrocarbon feed gas with said synthesis gas. 8. The process of Claim 1 further comprising generating electric power with said mechanical power. 9. An apparatus for converting a lighter hydrocarbon gas to heavier hydrocarbons comprising: a) a gas reformer reactor having a feed gas inlet for receiving a gaseous mixture comprising an air feed, a lighter hydrocarbon feed gas, and process steam, and having a synthesis gas outlet for discharging a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide formed from the reaction of said gaseous mixture in said gas reformer reactor; b) a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor containing a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, having a synthesis gas inlet for receiving said synthesis gas, and having a product stream outlet for discharging a product stream comprising heavier hydrocarbons, a tail gas and water formed from the reaction of said synthesis gas in said hydrocarbon synthesis reactor; c) a combustor having a tail gas inlet for receiving said tail gas and having a combustion gas outlet for discharging a combustion gas formed by combusting said tail gas in said combustor: d) a power turbine having a combustion gas inlet to drive said power turbine, wherein said power turbine engages a drive shaft; and an air compressor engaging said drive shaft for driving said air compressor and compressing said air feed. 10. The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising a water heat exchanger for heating said water with said synthesis gas to produce said process steam. 11. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said combustor has a process steam inlet for receiving a portion of said process steam. 12. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said combustor has a burner assembly for mixing a portion of said air feed with said tail gas. 13. The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising a tail gas heat exchanger for heating said tail gas with said synthesis gas. 14. The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising a hydrocarbon feed gas heat exchanger for heating said hydrocarbon feed gas with said synthesis gas. 15. The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising a second power turbine positioned in series with said first power turbine and having a second combustion gas inlet in fluid communication with said first combustion gas outlet to drive said second power turbine.